2.—(1) In paragraph 4(2) of the Principal Regulations, at the beginning of the sentence, and before the words “Any child”, insert the words “Subject to paragraph 2A,”.
(2) In regulation 4 of the Principal Regulations, after paragraph (2), insert the following paragraph
“(2A) In calculating the period of 13 weeks referred to in subparagraph (2)(b), no account is to be taken of any period in which the child was looked after in a series of short-term placements none of which individually exceeds four weeks, where, at the end of each such placement, the child returned to the care of his parent, or a person who is not a parent but who has parental responsibility for him.”.